Central Coast Mariners went down to a 3-1 defeat by Melbourne Victory in the round 18 Hyundai A-League clash at Central Coast Stadium in Gosford; on Saturday evening in front of 9,138 fans.

Rocked by the transfer loss of key defender Trent Sainsbury and golden boot holder Daniel McBreen, on top of the recent losses of Marcos Flores, and Michael McGlinchey, the home side could have been expected to struggle. In fact they dominated large sections of the first half but failed to nail Melbourne Victory while they had them; Ibini-Isei missing a second.

The early goal by Bernie Ibini-Isei lifted spirits at the stadium. Joshua Rose got up wide on the left and cut inside, angling the ball across goal to where Ibini-Isei forced it in; despite the best efforts of Victory ‘keeper Nathan Coe. 1-0

Alas, just entering into stoppage time at the end of the first half, this fans pulse rate rose with a very soft free-kick being awarded to Guilherme Finkler just outside the penalty area on the left. The Argentine has scored from there before! His strike beat Mariners custodian Liam Reddy and cannoned off the underside of the crossbar. The defence was slow to react and James Troisi was to the ball and slotted it past Reddy. 1-1

In the 50th minute the visitors got behind the Mariners defence on the left and Adama Traore sent in a solid cross, finding Archie Thompson running in – and the veteran striker slammed it home giving Reddy no chance. A hint of off-side but the goal stood, and the lead was well deserved. 1-2

The Mariners had a soft, but clear penalty inside the area ruled outside the area.

Melbourne’s James Troisi found the net for the second time in the 62nd minute beating Reddy at his left post, after receiving from former Mariner and on-loan Celtic FC midfielder Tomas Rogic. 1-3

The final scoreline was perhaps a little flattering to the visitors but at least they put their two 0-5 drubbings behind them.

With out-of-season new defensive signing Eddy Bosnar coming off exhausted after 77 minutes the hosts however had shown the disruptions hurt but maybe can turned around as Bosnar, ex-Glory man Isaka Cernak (who came on positively as a late sub), and awaited new signing Kim Seung-Yong can get match fit.

Central Coast Mariners coach Phil Moss said, “I think we can certainly take some positives out of this. “I am very happy with my players and the way they fought until the end. No one threw the towel in, everyone was fighting until the end and we could have had another couple of goals on another day.” “I was very happy with our first half performance,” he added. “I thought we did very well and we probably should have gone 2-0 up with Bernie’s chance, but it wasn’t to be.” “It’s a rebuilding year and we’re going to get these results in a rebuilding year. We just have to bounce back next week,” he said.